Staten Islanders are concerned construction will impact the environment and nearby wildlife.

Residents say the plan to build the BJ's Wholesale Club in Mariners Harbor will take away nearby wetlands and force more animals out of their habitat and into the streets.  Residents are concerned it'll impact the natural buffers the wetlands provide, meaning their homes could be at-risk for flooding. They also don't want the additional traffic the store will bring.

The City Council has already approved plans for the project.

But an organizer with the Coalition for Wetlands and Forests says they still hope to preserve the land.

"They're attacking Staten Island because anything that is open space -wetland, forest, is looked at by developers. They’re putting more pressure on this property to retain more water," said Gabriella Velardi-Ward, the group’s coordinator.

An attorney for the developer told NY1 in part quote "Almost 40 percent of the site will remain as protected wetlands and open space -- which can never be developed.  Our wetlands enhancement and protection program will both protect and strengthen the flood resiliency of the site, and will not impact area wildlife."